tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57850100124541613942015-08-02T19:22:42.329+01:00Creative LynksCrafts, photography, music and life in generalLynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.comBlogger304125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-64749903993717560072015-08-02T08:30:00.000+01:002015-08-02T08:30:01.818+01:00Anything Goes with a twist!It's time for our August Challenge at&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>, and this month we thought we'd leave the theme up to you, but - there's a twist! It's<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: cyan;">* * * * *</span><span style="color: #783f04;"> ANYTHING GOES WITH A STAMP AND A DIE</span> <span style="color: cyan;">* * * * *</span></span><br /><br />Your topic can be anything you choose, but you must <b>use at least one stamp and one die</b> in your project.<br /><br />Our sponsor this time is <a href="http://www.tatteredlace.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tattered Lace</a>, who have the most beautiful dies designed by Stephanie Weightman. They have generously donated a fantastic £50 voucher for the winner to spend in their&nbsp;<a href="http://www.crafting.co.uk/index.php/" target="_blank">Online Store</a>.<br /><br />I've used a Tattered Lace Owl die on my card (one of a set of two), I believe this set &nbsp;- <a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/tattered-lace-die-owls/582395-1002" target="_blank">Owls</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;&nbsp;is exclusive to Hobbycraft.&nbsp;I adhered the owl to brown card and then cut round it by hand.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUmeNPQ9Y8A/Vbf8fYpvOeI/AAAAAAAACzs/Ih3EJM4lykE/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BAugust%2B%252715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUmeNPQ9Y8A/Vbf8fYpvOeI/AAAAAAAACzs/Ih3EJM4lykE/s320/DT%2Bcard%2BAugust%2B%252715.JPG" width="317" /></a></div><br />The background was made with my Gelli Plate and a Crafter's Workshop stencil. The "branch" is by Inky Doodles, All other stamps by Chocolate Baroque, except for the tiny butterfly with the sentiment, which is by Just Rite. The tag die was a freebie from Papercraft Essentials magazine. The "moon" was stamped with white acrylic paint to get a good opaque colour. I gave the owl some twinkly eyes with a couple of stick on gems.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq2O_y6hQ0Q/Vbf-XJb8WeI/AAAAAAAACz4/TbJhL73M6pw/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BAugust%2B%252715%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq2O_y6hQ0Q/Vbf-XJb8WeI/AAAAAAAACz4/TbJhL73M6pw/s320/DT%2Bcard%2BAugust%2B%252715%2Bdetail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My lovely teamies have some stunning samples for you this month, don't forget to check them out on the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>, and I will look forward to seeing all your wonderful stamp and die creations!</div><br />Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-56880305649409748552015-07-15T14:36:00.000+01:002015-07-15T14:36:06.704+01:00Poppy ParadeThe poppies in our garden are glorious just now.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGxocFciDKo/VaZgUYQV6AI/AAAAAAAACyA/LXfHP2NUqu8/s1600/1%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGxocFciDKo/VaZgUYQV6AI/AAAAAAAACyA/LXfHP2NUqu8/s400/1%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmvgraPNlyM/VaZgUX-esTI/AAAAAAAACyE/lPcEdny86qQ/s1600/2%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmvgraPNlyM/VaZgUX-esTI/AAAAAAAACyE/lPcEdny86qQ/s400/2%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3iPKbrTMqA/VaZgVaM1tjI/AAAAAAAACyQ/ufuQGzbp1LA/s1600/3%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3iPKbrTMqA/VaZgVaM1tjI/AAAAAAAACyQ/ufuQGzbp1LA/s400/3%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqjQBb5KfA8/VaZgWeTk4VI/AAAAAAAACyk/HeooAHNazzI/s1600/4%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqjQBb5KfA8/VaZgWeTk4VI/AAAAAAAACyk/HeooAHNazzI/s400/4%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YfMjnyHmPFM/VaZgWaS_H2I/AAAAAAAACyg/bzmps5ALgcg/s1600/5%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YfMjnyHmPFM/VaZgWaS_H2I/AAAAAAAACyg/bzmps5ALgcg/s400/5%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytUKadU_Z4g/VaZgW3SKHLI/AAAAAAAACyo/M-ElfHjm6ik/s1600/6%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytUKadU_Z4g/VaZgW3SKHLI/AAAAAAAACyo/M-ElfHjm6ik/s400/6%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPuN0_43OiE/VaZgZXlOzII/AAAAAAAACzE/AWKHtKK1na0/s1600/9%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPuN0_43OiE/VaZgZXlOzII/AAAAAAAACzE/AWKHtKK1na0/s400/9%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UUNJ-h3uQc/VaZgYcv1p9I/AAAAAAAACy4/KDjBm6alDyc/s1600/8%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UUNJ-h3uQc/VaZgYcv1p9I/AAAAAAAACy4/KDjBm6alDyc/s400/8%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="313" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orgsrbD7Ids/VaZgUl_VQXI/AAAAAAAACyI/KRhv4mra0b8/s1600/10%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ-9ZhW-XOo/VaZgZKfecxI/AAAAAAAACzA/zCrZKnO9YdA/s1600/7%2Bpoppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ-9ZhW-XOo/VaZgZKfecxI/AAAAAAAACzA/zCrZKnO9YdA/s400/7%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="300" /></a><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orgsrbD7Ids/VaZgUl_VQXI/AAAAAAAACyI/KRhv4mra0b8/s400/10%2Bpoppies.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-27814244454919864562015-07-05T08:30:00.000+01:002015-07-05T08:52:43.499+01:00Stamping Sensations July ChallengeAnother month at <a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/july-challenge-feature-creature.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>&nbsp;has flown by! We had some stunning entries for June, but now it's time for a new challenge, in which we would like you to<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04;">* * * * * </span><span style="background-color: orange;">FEATURE A CREATURE</span><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> </span>* * * * *</span></div><br />Show us your projects featuring a creature (or creatures!) of land, sea or air!<br /><br />Please do remember that as we are a stamping challenge, your entry must include some stamping if you wish it to be considered for our prize or Top 3 positions. It would be a shame to miss out, as our sponsor this month is once again <a href="http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/" target="_blank">Little Claire Designs</a>, who have very kindly given us a most generous £35 voucher for the lucky winner to spend on their website.<br /><br />As soon as I saw our topic for this month, I knew which creatures I would feature! The fabulous owls on Little Claire's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/product/silhouette-owl-tree-clear-stamp.html" target="_blank">Silhouette Owl Tree</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zx2RhYFwxRg/VZfgAqcO8EI/AAAAAAAACxQ/VDs-psGndl0/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BJuly%2B%252715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zx2RhYFwxRg/VZfgAqcO8EI/AAAAAAAACxQ/VDs-psGndl0/s400/DT%2Bcard%2BJuly%2B%252715.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Background papers from my stash were used to create a landscape, over which &nbsp;the Owl Tree was stamped in Memento ink. It was cut out with a Spellbinders die and the base of the tree design was extended a little to either side to fit the square, using a Memento pen. It was then matted and layered on to the base card, which had first been stamped twice with the Owl Tree, in opposite corners. A suitable sentiment (Woodware), cut out by hand, completed the card.<br /><br />I love the thought of a treeful of owls, just sitting there, watching, ready for their close up!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8i1nDpJXfzw/VZfjVJ8SUpI/AAAAAAAACxc/jnM24x_2Clc/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BJuly%2B%252715%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8i1nDpJXfzw/VZfjVJ8SUpI/AAAAAAAACxc/jnM24x_2Clc/s400/DT%2Bcard%2BJuly%2B%252715%2Bdetail.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />However, I'm looking forward to seeing all types of creatures in your entries this month, and of course remember you can enter up to three times with any type of cards or projects. The DT have featured some simply adorable creatures in their samples, so do go over to the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/july-challenge-feature-creature.html" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>&nbsp;and have a look at them.<br /><br />I'll leave you with a picture of a recent visitor to our garden, who seemed to be having a very earnest conversation with a hoverfly!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwOyTi_DUAk/VZfoeoZyOmI/AAAAAAAACxs/DfKO4oTKY00/s1600/Said%2Bthe%2Brabbit%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bfly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwOyTi_DUAk/VZfoeoZyOmI/AAAAAAAACxs/DfKO4oTKY00/s400/Said%2Bthe%2Brabbit%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bfly.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-17776342370878810042015-06-07T08:30:00.000+01:002015-06-07T08:30:02.644+01:00June Challenge at Stamping SensationsWell, flaming June it certainly isn't up here! We have had&nbsp;a few&nbsp;sunny spells between the showers, but it's so unseasonably cold and windy. However, last month's bumper crop of&nbsp;flowers (well over 200 entries) for our floral challenge at&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/june-challenge-dies-and-punches.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>&nbsp;certainly brightened things up! I'm confidently expecting this month's theme to be equally popular, as it is<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;">* * * * *</span> <span style="color: blue;">DIES AND PUNCHES</span> <span style="color: orange;">* * * * *</span></div><br />You can use either just dies, just punches, or a combination of both. And of course, as we are a stamping challenge, we need to see some rubber stamping on your project as well. Making a welcome return visit to sponsor us for June is <a href="https://www.tonic-studios.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tonic Studios</a>, who have given us a full set of their Pretoria Alphabet Dies for the lucky winner! What a fabulous prize!<br /><br />&nbsp;<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBrEbSYJIeU/VWc7uc2nQWI/AAAAAAAAWj0/rXQcTkfBQAo/s320/June.jpg" /><br /><br />I have used a die (Celtic Circle)&nbsp;and a punch (Celtic Strip), both by Tonic Studios, for my card.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RbSkxAnJWT0/VWh0qQjJHGI/AAAAAAAACwg/5jcdpqg0mh4/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BJune%2B%252715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RbSkxAnJWT0/VWh0qQjJHGI/AAAAAAAACwg/5jcdpqg0mh4/s400/DT%2Bcard%2BJune%2B%252715.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>Other supplies used - <br />Celtic bird stamp: Non Sequitur<br />Small Celtic circle stamp: unknown<br />Background text stamp: Judikins<br />Sentiment: Innovative Stamp Creations<br />Background paper: Paper Cellar<br />I used Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink for all the stamping and to ink around the edge of the BP<br /><br />I'm still on a mission to revisit/use up old stash, and everything on this card is at least a couple of years old, and some things many years! Had another mini clear out of my craftroom the other week, but still don't seem to have any more space on my shelves! As long as I can keep things from encroaching too much on to the floor, though, I'm happy! I think back to my old tiny craft room, where I had to step over boxes to get to my desk, on which there was never more than about a square foot clear to work in, and remember how lucky I am to have so much more&nbsp;lovely space in the new one.<br /><br />Here's a closer view of the gorgeous Celtic bird stamp. I've always liked it, don't know why I don't use it more often!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_yeBRurnwfI/VWh4PW_R9gI/AAAAAAAACws/fu-fEQ8zXdA/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BJune%2B%252715%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_yeBRurnwfI/VWh4PW_R9gI/AAAAAAAACws/fu-fEQ8zXdA/s400/DT%2Bcard%2BJune%2B%252715%2Bdetail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anyway, as ever,&nbsp;there's plenty of inspiration for you over on the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/june-challenge-dies-and-punches.html" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a> My brilliant teamies would love it if you visited their individual blogs too, and we look forward to seeing what you can do with your dies and punches.Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-1736302747677754852015-05-03T08:30:00.000+01:002015-05-03T08:30:00.038+01:00Floral Delights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div>Our May Challenge at&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/may-challenge-flower-power.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>&nbsp;has one of my favourite topics! It is<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>&nbsp;<span style="color: lime;">* * * * *</span> <span style="color: #a64d79;">FLOWER POWER</span> <span style="color: lime;">* * * * *</span></b></div><br />We will be looking for entries with <b>flowers being the main element of your design</b>. Spring is my favourite time of year for flowers, with so many beautiful blossoms bursting into new life, but you can show us flowers from any time of year.<br /><br />I doubt that there are many people who don't like flowers, so I think this will be a popular theme. It also happens that this month's sponsor is one of my favourite stamp companies,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.craftyindividuals.co.uk/" target="_blank">Crafty Individuals</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jaelew1zVZQ/UQ_X36BAQ_I/AAAAAAAAOmc/WhKhr9Dqt_s/s1600/Logo+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jaelew1zVZQ/UQ_X36BAQ_I/AAAAAAAAOmc/WhKhr9Dqt_s/s200/Logo+image.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once again, Jean and Malcolm have generously donated a fantastic £35 voucher for the lucky winner to spend in their online shop, where they have tons of the most gorgeous stamps, papers and accessories to choose from.<br /><br />For my card I've used one of their beautiful floral stamps&nbsp;<a href="http://www.craftyindividuals.co.uk/rubber-stamps-c1/linda-edwards-illustration-stamps-c24/crafty-individuals-ci-422-spring-flower-garden-art-rubber-stamp-90mm-x-90mm-p588" target="_blank">CI-422</a>&nbsp;, along with a background paper from their&nbsp;<a href="http://www.craftyindividuals.co.uk/paper-products-c2/background-paper-books-c10/crafty-individuals-background-paper-book-book-7-shades-of-summer-p253" target="_blank">"Shades Of Summer" book</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCPJ_c1gEas/VUTngUo-UXI/AAAAAAAACvg/-X-Gu8OWkuE/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BMay%2B'15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCPJ_c1gEas/VUTngUo-UXI/AAAAAAAACvg/-X-Gu8OWkuE/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BMay%2B'15.JPG" height="392" width="400" /></a></div>I coloured the image with Promarkers, matted it with contrasting borders and added a simple ribbon bow to finish.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-wX-Z68NBk/VUTzA-aQ9sI/AAAAAAAACvw/tqAEG-1oZuQ/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BMay%2B'15%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-wX-Z68NBk/VUTzA-aQ9sI/AAAAAAAACvw/tqAEG-1oZuQ/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BMay%2B'15%2Bdetail.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>I am looking forward very much to seeing lots of lovely floral entries! The Design Team's samples are a flower-filled feast for the eyes, so do go and check them out on the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/may-challenge-flower-power.html" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>. I'll leave you with a photo of one of my favourite flowers, primroses, which have been glorious up here this spring, both wild and cultivated, and which are still blooming beautifully in our garden.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWgFMLq0izc/VUT4Zhen4ZI/AAAAAAAACwA/tzdakJfM7fU/s1600/Primroses%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWgFMLq0izc/VUT4Zhen4ZI/AAAAAAAACwA/tzdakJfM7fU/s1600/Primroses%2B1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br />Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-57137727079358106632015-04-22T00:14:00.000+01:002015-04-22T00:15:43.513+01:00Stunning SunsetsThe weather over the past few days has been absolutely gorgeous, producing some incredible sunsets! Driving home from choir practice on a Monday evening I pass one of our local lochs. I noticed on my way by it yesterday that the sun had gone down right behind the hills overlooking the loch, and the colours were reflected in the water. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, so I decided that if the conditions were similar this evening I would go down there and take some photos.<br /><br />If anything, it was even more beautiful today!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yTaNd8Vv5c/VTbYHXqw67I/AAAAAAAACtY/mtneJIqtp_Q/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yTaNd8Vv5c/VTbYHXqw67I/AAAAAAAACtY/mtneJIqtp_Q/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iszBmQ_zMCY/VTbYGh2wu1I/AAAAAAAACtU/zmSSa5x0srs/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iszBmQ_zMCY/VTbYGh2wu1I/AAAAAAAACtU/zmSSa5x0srs/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HdbU-_MY8mY/VTbYHjP4sVI/AAAAAAAACtk/6bLrk_cNl6U/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HdbU-_MY8mY/VTbYHjP4sVI/AAAAAAAACtk/6bLrk_cNl6U/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwprsvAsaWs/VTbYIy8MHQI/AAAAAAAACto/ldEi_vqIsoc/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwprsvAsaWs/VTbYIy8MHQI/AAAAAAAACto/ldEi_vqIsoc/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B4.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rinUmLuilwE/VTbYdwKzF1I/AAAAAAAACuU/mGxy9aBf4OY/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rinUmLuilwE/VTbYdwKzF1I/AAAAAAAACuU/mGxy9aBf4OY/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B5.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1J1jF1pu5RE/VTbYfUXbr0I/AAAAAAAACug/P2_E-gsN9ZU/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1J1jF1pu5RE/VTbYfUXbr0I/AAAAAAAACug/P2_E-gsN9ZU/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B6.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2NcXh_ykFc/VTbYgBmlt3I/AAAAAAAACus/2Aer0npbuBE/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2NcXh_ykFc/VTbYgBmlt3I/AAAAAAAACus/2Aer0npbuBE/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B7.JPG" height="270" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQnnsUi2miM/VTbYhWVr23I/AAAAAAAACu0/ZgtjB0BEGXM/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQnnsUi2miM/VTbYhWVr23I/AAAAAAAACu0/ZgtjB0BEGXM/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B8.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oG-0peYb14Q/VTbYimQar8I/AAAAAAAACu8/WlmLylUnHsg/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oG-0peYb14Q/VTbYimQar8I/AAAAAAAACu8/WlmLylUnHsg/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B9.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSbGrpIRRS4/VTbYab9RPgI/AAAAAAAACt0/QdShFfQO344/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSbGrpIRRS4/VTbYab9RPgI/AAAAAAAACt0/QdShFfQO344/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B10.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5cdzmOvC7c/VTbYbRvrMCI/AAAAAAAACt8/qinBMEpE1zQ/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5cdzmOvC7c/VTbYbRvrMCI/AAAAAAAACt8/qinBMEpE1zQ/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B11.JPG" height="400" width="287" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Dij1QFv6qo/VTbYbsAOQEI/AAAAAAAACuA/x_xou_UcoHI/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Dij1QFv6qo/VTbYbsAOQEI/AAAAAAAACuA/x_xou_UcoHI/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B12.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-389qlTA-bkY/VTbYeci9_tI/AAAAAAAACuY/1wlzwkVXOHc/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-389qlTA-bkY/VTbYeci9_tI/AAAAAAAACuY/1wlzwkVXOHc/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B14.JPG" height="400" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-febNl9gLAPc/VTbYcsGjqAI/AAAAAAAACuM/c-2WGhQTGLI/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-febNl9gLAPc/VTbYcsGjqAI/AAAAAAAACuM/c-2WGhQTGLI/s1600/Loch%2Bsunset%2B13.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-71185751234302613042015-04-05T08:30:00.000+01:002015-04-05T08:35:06.296+01:00Pink!April already! A very busy last few weeks of term have meant I've had little time for blogging, or indeed crafting, but the Easter holidays are here at last, and so is our April Challenge at&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/april-challenge-pretty-in-pink.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>. I think our latest theme will be very popular, as it is<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;">* * * * * PRETTY IN PINK * * * * *</span></div><br />Making a welcome return visit as our sponsor this month is <a href="http://www.pdacardandcraft.co.uk/" target="_blank">PDA Card &amp; Craft</a>,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vANzTzMc2zs/UJO2kUVWt9I/AAAAAAAAMxA/hEMBXZgjDt4/s320/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vANzTzMc2zs/UJO2kUVWt9I/AAAAAAAAMxA/hEMBXZgjDt4/s320/logo.jpg" /></a></div><br />who are giving the lucky winner a fantastic £40 voucher to spend on their website or in their shop, where you will most definitely be spoilt for choice!<br /><br />Pink is not one of my preferred colours, even though it does occasionally make an appearance on my cards, albeit in small amounts. However, I wouldn't normally use it as a main colour, so I had to step outside my comfort zone a bit here!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J_xI_6KhyII/VR8MMuY_CII/AAAAAAAACs0/BbQlzKlklWE/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BApril%2B'15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J_xI_6KhyII/VR8MMuY_CII/AAAAAAAACs0/BbQlzKlklWE/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BApril%2B'15.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>The focal image was created with Card-io Majestix stamps, from the Secret Garden set and Golden Daffodils set, both sets available from PDA&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pdacardandcraft.co.uk/craft-materials/rubber-stamps-and-stamping-products/rubber-stamps/majestix-clear-peg-stamps.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I lightly sponged a background with pigment inks on a circular diecut while the paper was still in the die, and then stamped the scene with various stamps from the two sets. This was then matted on to a scalloped circle cut from patterned paper. Both it and the background paper were magazine freebies. The sentiments were also freebies (Simply Cards &amp; Papercraft magazine). Plain Circle and Scallop Circle dies are by Spellbinders, Butterfly by Cheery Lynn and Bluebell by Wild Rose Studio.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAKTaA28lGc/VR8StaLqjpI/AAAAAAAACtE/W6ECkn0sWJQ/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BApril%2B'15%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAKTaA28lGc/VR8StaLqjpI/AAAAAAAACtE/W6ECkn0sWJQ/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BApril%2B'15%2Bdetail.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>It may not be my favourite colour, but I am certainly hoping to see lots of lovely pink creations for our challenge! The DT have some gorgeous samples for you over on the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/april-challenge-pretty-in-pink.html" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>, so do go and have a look at them and while you're there say hello to our two brilliant new teamies, Gerrina and Viv.<br /><br />Happy Easter everybody!Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-74707596850793748642015-03-01T08:30:00.000+00:002015-03-01T08:30:55.021+00:00One For The Guys&nbsp;Making my sample for our March Challenge at&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/march-challenge-one-for-guys.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>&nbsp;was certainly a challenge for me! Our theme for this month is<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">* * * * * ONE FOR THE GUYS * * * * *</span></div><br />and it is the subject I struggle with the most, being more inclined towards pretty floral or nature motifs than macho masculine stuff !<br /><br />However, I rose to the challenge and came up with this. I'm on a mission at the moment to revisit some of my oldest stamps, especially those that haven't seen daylight for a long time, in order to justify still giving them houseroom! This lovely Boat Scene (by Stamps Happen, now sadly defunct) was always one of my favourites and I don't know why I haven't used it more often, except that just about all the men in my family have received an example of it at one time or another.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-kutpJ-mg4/VPH0VZulxkI/AAAAAAAACrc/YoO57yV87Lc/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BMarch%2B'15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-kutpJ-mg4/VPH0VZulxkI/AAAAAAAACrc/YoO57yV87Lc/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BMarch%2B'15.jpg" height="396" width="400" /></a></div>I began by stamping it twice, on white card and a mottled sandy coloured card (another ancient item of stash!). I cut the framed part out of the sandy card, lined it up with the image on the white card, fixed them together and then coloured the whole image with Spectrum Noir pencils. I stamped the birds (Stampin' Up) at the bottom and finally used an old toothbrush to flick various shades of watercolour paint all over the card.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Atsi8GcLPNE/VPH43eYIgEI/AAAAAAAACro/m2_NXCEgQOw/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BMarch%2B'15%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Atsi8GcLPNE/VPH43eYIgEI/AAAAAAAACro/m2_NXCEgQOw/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BMarch%2B'15%2Bdetail.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>We have a lovely new sponsor for March! &nbsp;<a href="http://www.foilplay.co.uk/" target="_blank">Foil Play</a>&nbsp;have "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">an extensive&nbsp;choice of over&nbsp;11,000 products to help you to create beautiful and enjoyable craft projects, including a huge selection of rub on foils, ultra fine glitters, toppers,&nbsp;die cut and traditional decoupage".No minimum order is required, and postage is free if you spend over £10.&nbsp;</span></span>They are offering the lucky winner a whopping £35 voucher to spend in their online store.<br /><br />We've had some fantastic entries for our last few challenges, and I'm sure this one is going to be no exception. I'm really looking forward to seeing lots of projects for the men (or boys)! Should you need any inspiration, pop over to the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/march-challenge-one-for-guys.html" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>, where my brilliant teamies have some great stuff to show you. Good luck, everyone, and thanks for looking.Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-17288764347789771352015-02-25T00:47:00.000+00:002015-02-25T00:50:56.024+00:00Proud Grandma (and Grandad) Alert!It was our wedding anniversary last weekend and for a surprise present, our grandsons, aged 9 and 6, gave us a picture which they themselves had painted. Knowing how much I admire the work of artist&nbsp;<a href="http://www.juliedumbarton.com/" target="_blank">Julie Dumbarton</a>, they had decided to try and emulate her style. Their subject was to be a view from our window. They did lots of research first, looking at photos of Julie's paintings and noting for instance her bold brush strokes, use of colour and that the colours she chooses are not always the "right" ones for the subject, and the fact that her paintings show an impressionistic representation of the scene, rather than a realistic one. They even got their mum to drive them past our house (without our knowing!) so that they could check the view. Unfortunately it was a bit foggy that day and they couldn't see it properly, so instead they looked on Google images, and added some bits from memory. This is one of my photos of the scene, which I see straight ahead of me through the window when I'm sitting at my desk in my craft room. (The boys didn't use this photo to paint their picture from.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cJSCpJr5H4/VO0TvZx_l9I/AAAAAAAACq4/_S6FjAiMHLE/s1600/View%2Bfrom%2Bmy%2Bwindow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cJSCpJr5H4/VO0TvZx_l9I/AAAAAAAACq4/_S6FjAiMHLE/s1600/View%2Bfrom%2Bmy%2Bwindow.JPG" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>And here's their picture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JffQJWuKMsM/VO0UUmbA4pI/AAAAAAAACrA/PGc_on8fg9Y/s1600/In%2Bthe%2Bstyle%2Bof%2BJulie%2BDumbarton%2Bby%2BEwan%2B%26%2BAndrew%2Bresized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JffQJWuKMsM/VO0UUmbA4pI/AAAAAAAACrA/PGc_on8fg9Y/s1600/In%2Bthe%2Bstyle%2Bof%2BJulie%2BDumbarton%2Bby%2BEwan%2B%26%2BAndrew%2Bresized.jpg" height="395" width="400" /></a></div>The method they used to construct the picture is interesting. Their mum cut four sections of paper for them and they each painted two sections, which were then put together.<br /><br />Here's a closer look at the detail.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9cr4cfZwXEE/VO0Wo_plMxI/AAAAAAAACrM/mXjEBMhgXO4/s1600/In%2Bthe%2Bstyle%2Bof%2BJulie%2BDumbarton%2Bby%2BEwan%2B%26%2BAndrew%2Bdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9cr4cfZwXEE/VO0Wo_plMxI/AAAAAAAACrM/mXjEBMhgXO4/s1600/In%2Bthe%2Bstyle%2Bof%2BJulie%2BDumbarton%2Bby%2BEwan%2B%26%2BAndrew%2Bdetail.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a look at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.juliedumbarton.com/blogs/portfolio" target="_blank">Julie's portfolio</a>&nbsp;and see whether you think they managed to capture her style. I'm biased, of course, but I think they did a pretty good job! We both agreed it was our best present ever!</div>Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-75083282588932530662015-02-01T08:30:00.000+00:002015-02-01T08:30:00.974+00:00I'll do anything....And so, we hope, will you! It's a nice and easy February Challenge at <a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>,&nbsp;&nbsp;where our theme for the month is<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">* * * * *</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">ANYTHING GOES </span><span style="color: #bf9000;">* * * * *</span></span></div><br />We're delighted to welcome back the fabulous <a href="http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/" target="_blank">Little Claire Designs</a>&nbsp;as our sponsor, and the prize which they have generously donated is a fantastic £35 gift voucher to spend on their site.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rDa2KPqhX8/VL4aRK5GvkI/AAAAAAAAVR8/nmZEMwpVn6E/s1600/February.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rDa2KPqhX8/VL4aRK5GvkI/AAAAAAAAVR8/nmZEMwpVn6E/s1600/February.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've used stamps from Little Claire's "<a href="http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/product/hot-air-balloons-clear-acrylic-stamps.html" target="_blank">Hot Air Balloons</a>" set for my card. The balloons and the ground are all separate stamps, giving scope for an endless variety of designs.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkqtYrOBfos/VM1BlUwot7I/AAAAAAAACqM/CS2PWS7MEBY/s1600/Feb%2B'15%2BDT%2Bcard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkqtYrOBfos/VM1BlUwot7I/AAAAAAAACqM/CS2PWS7MEBY/s1600/Feb%2B'15%2BDT%2Bcard.JPG" height="393" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having first made a background with my ink dusters, I stamped all the stamps on various patterned papers (Basic Grey), cut them out and paper pieced them to create my design. This was then diecut with Spellbinders dies, mounted on to another Basic Grey paper, matted with a yellow border on to a 7" square card and embellished with a ribbon and sentiment (Craft Stamper magazine freebie).&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkXvZOWH8OM/VM1FfSqMyiI/AAAAAAAACqY/qs58TonCSmY/s1600/Feb%2B'15%2BDT%2Bcard%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkXvZOWH8OM/VM1FfSqMyiI/AAAAAAAACqY/qs58TonCSmY/s1600/Feb%2B'15%2BDT%2Bcard%2Bdetail.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As always, you'll find plenty of inspiration on the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>, and we'll look forward to seeing all your amazing creations!</div>Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-44034116363264497402015-01-27T19:43:00.000+00:002015-01-27T20:08:55.548+00:00Butterfly JewelsIt's ages since I had chance to enter the&nbsp;<a href="http://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/butterflies-b-is-for-brads.html" target="_blank">Butterfly Challenge</a>, but I noticed that the current theme is Butterflies and Brads and having a few spare minutes, decided to make a card.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15rNowNX6T0/VMfp5IoocMI/AAAAAAAACpw/7Dw3mNKJwhY/s1600/Butterfly%2Bchallenge%2B22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15rNowNX6T0/VMfp5IoocMI/AAAAAAAACpw/7Dw3mNKJwhY/s1600/Butterfly%2Bchallenge%2B22.JPG" height="395" width="400" /></a></div>I've just bought the Joy Crafts corner die, and was itching to use it. Using four together makes a pretty frame for the butterflies (a Cheery Lynn die) and the sentiment (Inky Doodles). I cut off part of the diecuts (it has a pointy sticky out bit in the middle!) so they didn't take up so much room in the square, and attached them to some patterned paper (Melissa Francis) along with some pearl brads. This was then matted onto some pink pearlescent paper. That's about it really.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-fZiIjzqDw/VMftsYWd3tI/AAAAAAAACp8/7FK0wbvklJA/s1600/Butterfly%2Bchallenge%2B22%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-fZiIjzqDw/VMftsYWd3tI/AAAAAAAACp8/7FK0wbvklJA/s1600/Butterfly%2Bchallenge%2B22%2Bdetail.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />It was a rush job because I started making the card and then realised I had about 30 minutes to finish it, get it photographed and upload it in time to meet the challenge deadline! I think I just made it! Phew! Thanks for looking!<br /><br /><br />Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-72921427066736378782015-01-18T08:30:00.000+00:002015-01-18T08:31:06.810+00:00Five Favourite Stamps!Our current mid-month challenge for the DT at&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/time-to-see-what-lynne-has-to-share.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>&nbsp;is to choose our five favourite stamps and make something using some or all of them. This month it's my turn. Five stamps??! I have hundreds, if not thousands of stamps in my collection! How can I possibly choose just five favourites?! If I were to think in terms of favourite stamps, it would probably be my newest, or whatever I happened to be working with at the time. However, let's try and narrow it down a bit.<br /><br />My favourite topics are nature themed - trees, butterflies, flowers, grasses, country scenes, etc. &nbsp;so my preferred stamps are likely to come from those categories. I could pick any of Chocolate Baroque's flowers or butterflies, for instance, or just about anything at all by Inkylicious. I tried to make a shortlist, but by the time I was on to the third A4 sheet (of narrow-lined paper!) I gave up!<br /><br />In the end I decided to think about which stamps I find myself reaching for most often and have selected five of those. That was today. Tomorrow it could well be a different five!<br /><br />Anyway, here's what I've made. As well as the stamps, three of my cards also use diecuts, to reflect this month's challenge theme of&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/january-challenge-dies-and-punches.html" target="_blank">Dies and Punches</a>. Don't get me started on favourite dies.....!<br /><br />My first card uses one of my oldest stamps, a butterfly by Hero Arts. The original is wood mounted, since then I have also acquired the later clear and cling versions! To me it's just the perfect butterfly, both in shape and in scope for colouring.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZZkWB9EcfM/VLqWc3Ze-nI/AAAAAAAACoc/8o1wUbWSVJE/s1600/5%2Bfave%2Bstamps%2BHA%2Bb'fly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZZkWB9EcfM/VLqWc3Ze-nI/AAAAAAAACoc/8o1wUbWSVJE/s1600/5%2Bfave%2Bstamps%2BHA%2Bb'fly.JPG" height="397" width="400" /></a></div>Backing paper &nbsp;- Docrafts Papermania, diecuts - Spellbinders, music stamp - Stampington, sentiment - Technique Tuesday, butterfly coloured with watercolour pencils and cut out by hand.<br /><br />Next another oldie, by Funstamps, bought over 20 years ago in 1994! I still often use this anemone stamp as its fine lines and open areas make it ideal for one of my favourite techniques; using a waterbrush to draw the ink out of the stamped image to colour it in, as I have done here.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t98Qr1E538w/VLqagPLKqUI/AAAAAAAACoo/wB2Sgp9rmP0/s1600/5%2Bfave%2Bstamps%2BFunstamps%2Banemones.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t98Qr1E538w/VLqagPLKqUI/AAAAAAAACoo/wB2Sgp9rmP0/s1600/5%2Bfave%2Bstamps%2BFunstamps%2Banemones.JPG" height="395" width="400" /></a></div>Backing paper - Prima, circle die - Joycrafts, border die - Die-namics, butterfly die - Cheery Lynn, sentiment - Prickley Pear, image stamped with Distress Inks.<br /><br />My third stamp is probably in danger of becoming worn out, I have used it so often! It makes a regular appearance not just on Christmas cards, but all year round, although sometimes you wouldn't recognise it as it can make excellent little bushes or shrubs when turned on its side. The background tree group is from the same set, and I almost chose that stamp as my favourite instead of the single tree. But I think I've used the single one more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3ipkL_250c/VLqmabUUYPI/AAAAAAAACo4/apFozPbG9qk/s1600/5%2Bfave%2Bstamps%2BSU%2Btree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3ipkL_250c/VLqmabUUYPI/AAAAAAAACo4/apFozPbG9qk/s1600/5%2Bfave%2Bstamps%2BSU%2Btree.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></div>Both tree stamps are from the "Lovely As A Tree" set by Stampin' Up, Sentiment by Inkylicious. I used a Spellbinder die as a mask to make the background, along with my Inkylicious Ink Dusters and Mountain Valley Stencil, and Memento inks.<br /><br />My final two choices are both by Inkylicious. It was really hard just to pick two of theirs, as I love ALL their nature stamps. Stamp No. 4 is a fairly new one, which combines trees and grasses into a scene but which can have different looks according to how the background is done, so it was high on my list.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FJ6U6hG1Oss/VLqo0u5O5QI/AAAAAAAACpE/CpBWjfzx-sc/s1600/Pheasant%2Bscene%2B(mid%2Bmonth).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FJ6U6hG1Oss/VLqo0u5O5QI/AAAAAAAACpE/CpBWjfzx-sc/s1600/Pheasant%2Bscene%2B(mid%2Bmonth).JPG" height="397" width="400" /></a></div><br />Again, I used an Inkylicious Mountain Valley Stencil along with the ink dusters and Memento Inks to make the background before stamping the image. The pheasant is by Clarity Stamp, and it was cut out and added afterwards.<br /><br />Finally, Stamp No. 5. I've saved the best till last! You probably won't be surprised to find that this one was top of my list right from the start, and if I had to choose my single most favourite stamp ever, this would be it! It is, of course, the Old Beech Tree - "my" tree, (not really mine, sadly, but I see it every day across the fields from my house), which Deby at Inkylicious so cleverly made into a stamp for me.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-5Hbs4UYzs/VLqqQf1oBPI/AAAAAAAACpQ/W0wGElDv1Ck/s1600/5%2Bfave%2Bstamps%2BInkylicious%2Bold%2Bbeech%2Btree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-5Hbs4UYzs/VLqqQf1oBPI/AAAAAAAACpQ/W0wGElDv1Ck/s1600/5%2Bfave%2Bstamps%2BInkylicious%2Bold%2Bbeech%2Btree.JPG" height="400" width="286" /></a></div>I used a Spellbinders die as a mask to make the ink dusted background, cut it out with the same die and adhered it to the card with foam pads. "Delicate Vines" stamped around the edge of the card, sentiment cut out with a Spellbinders ribbon tag die (I cut off the ribbon slots). &nbsp;All stamps by Inkylicious.<br /><br />Hard though it was, I've really enjoyed choosing my five "favourite" stamps and making my cards with them, and thanks for looking at them. There's still plenty of time to enter the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/january-challenge-dies-and-punches.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations January Challenge</a>&nbsp;and be in with a chance of winning the fabulous Sizzix dies.&nbsp;We hope to see you there!<br /><br /><br /><br />Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-36339276008574069772015-01-04T08:45:00.000+00:002015-01-04T10:02:58.654+00:00A New Challenge For A New Year!Happy New Year, everyone! Are you ready for our first challenge of 2015 at <a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/january-challenge-dies-and-punches.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>? Our theme for January is<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">* * * * * </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">DIES AND PUNCHES</span><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">* * * * *</span></span></div><br />We'd like you to show us what you can do with your dies and/or punches, either one or the other, or a combination of both, it's up to you.<br /><br />Our lovely sponsor this month is the ever popular&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sizzix.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sizzix</a>, who I'm sure need no introduction. They have kindly donated a fabulous selection of their dies and embossing folders. The lucky winner will also receive a bonus prize of some gorgeous ribbons from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.craftyribbons.com/" target="_blank">Crafty Ribbons</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ho_xW3TyzQ/VKhoSTFZ5BI/AAAAAAAACnA/zQMZ8KZdwkc/s1600/January%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ho_xW3TyzQ/VKhoSTFZ5BI/AAAAAAAACnA/zQMZ8KZdwkc/s1600/January%2B2015.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my card I have used both dies and punches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tT09h3u-K3c/VKholhO7pNI/AAAAAAAACnI/6bZj3zzUT6k/s1600/Jan%2B'15%2BDT%2Bcard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tT09h3u-K3c/VKholhO7pNI/AAAAAAAACnI/6bZj3zzUT6k/s1600/Jan%2B'15%2BDT%2Bcard.JPG" height="397" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The background paper is by Bo Bunny. On top of that I placed the white punched square (using both the border and corner punches from a punch around the page set by Martha Stewart), followed by the scalloped and plain circles (both cut with Spellbinders dies). I stamped the sentiment (from Hydrangea set by Inkylicious) and the branch and flower (from the Majestix Oriental Blossom set by&nbsp;Card-io) and finally added the butterfly (stamp by Hero Arts) which was cut out with the matching Sizzix Framelits die, coloured with Promarkers and affixed with foam pads. Here's a close up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4RJATpZrnw/VKhtEK74B-I/AAAAAAAACnU/4n6mzk1sHEk/s1600/Jan%2B'15%2BDT%2Bcard%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4RJATpZrnw/VKhtEK74B-I/AAAAAAAACnU/4n6mzk1sHEk/s1600/Jan%2B'15%2BDT%2Bcard%2Bdetail.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my crafting resolution for this year is to break out of my comfort zone and try new things, so for this card I've gone for a colour combo I wouldn't normally use. The jury is still out on whether I like it or not! Another resolution is only to buy crafty stuff that I really need, as opposed to want, and to get some of my existing stash used up instead. Hmm. Wonder how long I'll stick to that one! Of course, the definition of "need" is open to interpretation........!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, I hope one of your resolutions is to join in our challenge every month, and we can't wait to see all your lovely creations! If you should need any inspiration, hop over to the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/january-challenge-dies-and-punches.html" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>&nbsp;where my talented teamies have all made excellent use of their dies and punches. Thanks for looking!</div>Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-84193108705883176802014-12-07T08:30:00.000+00:002014-12-07T08:30:00.066+00:00Winter WonderlandNo, we haven't had any snow yet, although the weather forecast is saying we might get a bit this coming week! In case the post title has misled you, let me hasten to explain that<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">* * * * * WINTER WONDERLAND * * * * *</span></div><br />is our December Challenge theme at&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/december-challenge-winter-wonderland.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>!<br /><br />We have a cracker of a prize for you this month! Once again we are sponsored by Chloe of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chloescreativecards.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chloe's Creative Cards</a>&nbsp;(Stamps by Chloe), who has generously donated a bumper bundle of her gorgeous stamps and accessories, and our lucky winner will also receive a bonus prize of beautiful ribbons from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.craftyribbons.com/" target="_blank">Crafty Ribbons</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpgn1_0wNsc/VIOQIQ6RZVI/AAAAAAAAClk/sKCwutbytU8/s1600/December%2Bprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpgn1_0wNsc/VIOQIQ6RZVI/AAAAAAAAClk/sKCwutbytU8/s1600/December%2Bprize.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like this month's theme so much that I've made two cards for it!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4S-PDn2ooIs/VIOVQfkM4mI/AAAAAAAACl0/Qo9ygzMwly0/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B2%2BDec%2B'14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4S-PDn2ooIs/VIOVQfkM4mI/AAAAAAAACl0/Qo9ygzMwly0/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B2%2BDec%2B'14.JPG" height="393" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first one uses a stamp from Chloe's "Snowflake Cluster" set for the background, along with a sentiment from her "Christmas Mini Messages" set. &nbsp;Country Landscape die is by Memory Box, Santa's sleigh stamp by Crafty Individuals, and the snowflake die, which is by X-Cut, was a magazine freebie. The snow is made with Fluffy Puffy Stuff (love the name!) from Inkylicious, to which I've added some glitter. The background snowflakes are also glittered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGtmWQx0cJg/VIOVlOg-aLI/AAAAAAAACl8/Y16rUwEfyLw/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B2%2BDec%2B'14%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGtmWQx0cJg/VIOVlOg-aLI/AAAAAAAACl8/Y16rUwEfyLw/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B2%2BDec%2B'14%2Bdetail.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My second card is an easel card. All stamps are by Inkylicious. The tree scene (Treescape 1) in the oval is, I think, my new favourite stamp! It reminds me very much of the countryside around where I live, and it could be used to create a scene for any time of year, as it wouldn't be difficult to add some greenery to the bare branches for spring and summer, or suitable colours for autumn. However, it certainly makes a gorgeous winter scene too.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r51M7606bf8/VIOYfmPcPsI/AAAAAAAACmI/W_RFz4W3iX8/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B1%2BDec%2B'14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r51M7606bf8/VIOYfmPcPsI/AAAAAAAACmI/W_RFz4W3iX8/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B1%2BDec%2B'14.JPG" height="368" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used my ink dusters to colour the sky, having masked off the lower part of the picture, and a moon, and added a touch of glitter glue on the snowy fields.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZNrtSvlhgk/VIOYwSzoZ8I/AAAAAAAACmQ/GQeco_fO2kQ/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B1%2BDec%2B'14%2Bdetail%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZNrtSvlhgk/VIOYwSzoZ8I/AAAAAAAACmQ/GQeco_fO2kQ/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B1%2BDec%2B'14%2Bdetail%2B1.JPG" height="287" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The deer and rabbit were stamped and cut out, and mounted with foam pads, as was the sentiment. The oval was cut with a Spellbinders die, and I cut out the sentiment panel by hand, having first punched out the little snowflakes with a Fiskars corner punch. Background papers were a freebie from Making Cards Magazine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DgAJ4uyfx1U/VIOZGEgWSRI/AAAAAAAACmY/rHmGfLYAQXI/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B1%2BDec%2B'14%2Bdetail%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DgAJ4uyfx1U/VIOZGEgWSRI/AAAAAAAACmY/rHmGfLYAQXI/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B1%2BDec%2B'14%2Bdetail%2B2.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a side view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vab-rixVxwI/VIOZSwR1o1I/AAAAAAAACmg/yTpoNEQ9P7Y/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B1%2C%2Bside%2BDec%2B'14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vab-rixVxwI/VIOZSwR1o1I/AAAAAAAACmg/yTpoNEQ9P7Y/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2B1%2C%2Bside%2BDec%2B'14.JPG" height="366" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think the tree scene will be featuring on many of my Christmas cards this year. And probably some spring, summer and autumn ones too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I'm really looking forward to seeing lots of &nbsp;lovely Winter Wonderland scenes. Last month we had a phenomenal number of entries, over 300! Can we better that this month, I wonder?! If you should need any inspiration, have a look at the DT's stunning examples on the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/december-challenge-winter-wonderland.html" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>. My terrific teamies have really outdone themselves this time, and I know they would really appreciate it if you were to visit their individual blogs too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for looking!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-83044977647768307832014-11-02T08:42:00.000+00:002014-11-02T08:42:47.274+00:00Christmas? No, it's ages away yet! Isn't it??After a brief chilly spell a couple of weeks ago, the weather has turned so unseaonably mild again that it doesn't seem possible that Christmas is just around the corner. But it really is only a few weeks away! So to get us in the mood, the November Challenge at&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/november-challenge-simply-christmas.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>&nbsp;is simply<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">C</span><span style="color: lime;">H</span><span style="color: red;">R</span><span style="color: lime;">I</span><span style="color: red;">S</span><span style="color: lime;">T</span><span style="color: red;">M</span><span style="color: lime;">A</span><span style="color: red;">S</span><span style="color: lime;">!</span></span></b></span></div><br />If, like me, you've hardly even thought about making any cards yet, now's the time to get going and show us your festive creations. Our lovely sponsors for November are the wonderful&nbsp;<a href="http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/" target="_blank">Little Claire Designs</a>, who have generously donated a £35 voucher for the lucky winner to spend in their store.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttS9fy-A4Jc/VFVcJbA7S5I/AAAAAAAACkY/IBncUhCxopY/s1600/Little%2BClaire%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttS9fy-A4Jc/VFVcJbA7S5I/AAAAAAAACkY/IBncUhCxopY/s1600/Little%2BClaire%2Blogo.jpg" height="178" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now of course, I don't do cute, but I make exception for some of the gorgeous Little Claire stamps, especially their Owl designs, one of which I've used for my card. This is the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/product/christmas-owl-tree-stamp.html" target="_blank">Christmas Owl Tree</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vCUnRoBcxg/VFVgofaVxjI/AAAAAAAACkk/GSNt14Yii5o/s1600/Nov%2B14%2BDT%2Bcard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vCUnRoBcxg/VFVgofaVxjI/AAAAAAAACkk/GSNt14Yii5o/s1600/Nov%2B14%2BDT%2Bcard.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I stamped the owl tree, coloured it with Promarkers, cut it out with a Spellbinders die and sponged green pigment ink around the edge while the card was still in the die.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGzgA1uynXE/VFVmGHilCfI/AAAAAAAACk0/khyYJrNSpM4/s1600/Nov%2B14%2BDT%2Bcard%2Bdetail%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGzgA1uynXE/VFVmGHilCfI/AAAAAAAACk0/khyYJrNSpM4/s1600/Nov%2B14%2BDT%2Bcard%2Bdetail%2B1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The base card was stamped with the Classic Holly (Hero Arts) and the sentiment (freebie from Simply Cards &amp; Papercraft magazine). The Owl Tree was matted on to patterned paper (Hot Off The Press) with foam pads and adhered to the base card. Oh, and the photo bombing (or should I say card bombing!) character in the corner who couldn't resist getting in on the act (and who for undisclosed reasons I'm calling Steve!) is from another Little Claire owl stamp, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.littleclaire.co.uk/product/little-owl-family-stamp.html" target="_blank">Little Owl Family</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ND0jAeX-prE/VFVmRLEA9RI/AAAAAAAACk8/fT7oM6P3AMw/s1600/Nov%2B14%2BDT%2Bcard%2Bdetail%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ND0jAeX-prE/VFVmRLEA9RI/AAAAAAAACk8/fT7oM6P3AMw/s1600/Nov%2B14%2BDT%2Bcard%2Bdetail%2B2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As always there is plenty of gorgeous inspiration over on the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/november-challenge-simply-christmas.html" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>, so do go and have a look. For more details of each project, click the name link above the relevant photo to go to my teamies' individual blogs. I look forward to seeing all your Christmas creations!</div>Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-9834803349323960722014-10-05T08:45:00.000+01:002014-10-05T08:45:00.326+01:00Mists and Mellow FruitfulnessAlthough my favourite season is spring, I do love the glorious autumn colours and misty mornings. And evenings, come to that. When I looked outside last night just before bedtime, it was like looking at a fantasy world. The sky was quite clear, but there was a low mist lying over the fields, with just the tops of the trees peeping above it. Lit by the moonlight, it was an eerily beautiful scene. Just wish I could have photographed it, but my camera sadly isn't up to the job. On Friday we had a day and night of torrential rain, quite a shock after such a dry September, and the river here flooded over its banks for the first time in several months. The weather has turned decidedly chilly too, time to break out the winter woollies, methinks!<br /><br />Anyway, let's warm things up with our October challenge at <a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>, where we are celebrating the season with a theme of<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><span style="color: #38761d;">WARM</span> <span style="color: red;">AUTUMN</span> <span style="color: #b45f06;">COLOURS</span></span></div><br />We would like to see lots of lovely greens, browns, yellows, oranges and reds.<br /><br />Our sponsor this month is the fabulous&nbsp;<a href="http://imaginationcrafts.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=index" target="_blank">Imagination Crafts</a>, who are donating a very generous £35 voucher to the lucky winner.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2DEidFeZ4Rw/U1tef7dUEsI/AAAAAAAATP0/6K3PiprtrF8/s1600/ic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2DEidFeZ4Rw/U1tef7dUEsI/AAAAAAAATP0/6K3PiprtrF8/s1600/ic.jpg" height="195" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've used the Lillies Decoupage Stamp Sets by Imaginations Crafts for my card.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ERQFt0wN6Ng/VDCO5dHbvKI/AAAAAAAACjo/qppLXDZAlJY/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BOct%2B'14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ERQFt0wN6Ng/VDCO5dHbvKI/AAAAAAAACjo/qppLXDZAlJY/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BOct%2B'14.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I began by stamping the image with black Brilliance ink and heat embossing it with clear embossing powder. The background was then coloured with Distress inks. I decided to leave the flowers uncoloured so that they would stand out. The Decoupage stamp sets are, obviously, ideal for 3D decoupaging, which would also have given more prominence to the lillies, but as the card was to be posted, I wanted to keep it quite flat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I matted the image on to a piece of textured green card and layered it with a diecut by Britannia dies on to to the base card, which had been stamped with one of the stamps from the set, in the same Distress ink colours. The same stamp and inks were also used on the tag, along with a sentiment from the set. Some diecut leaves (Cheery Lynn) and autumn-hued threads completed the card.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aF_d2SBLpG4/VDCUB7zQYQI/AAAAAAAACj4/BFU9NF-RoCA/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BOct%2B'14%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aF_d2SBLpG4/VDCUB7zQYQI/AAAAAAAACj4/BFU9NF-RoCA/s1600/DT%2Bcard%2BOct%2B'14%2Bdetail.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For some truly gorgeous autumn inspiration, do hop over to see the wonderful projects my talented teamies have posted on the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>. Thanks for looking!</div>Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-71581270785264178252014-09-11T16:44:00.000+01:002014-09-11T16:44:35.376+01:00Been doing the dusting....!Inspired by Sally's fabulous new Inkylicious ink duster&nbsp;<a href="http://sal-utations.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/new-video-tutorial.html" target="_blank">video tutorial</a>&nbsp;and her stunning sample cards, I decided to have a go at doing something similar with my Inkylicious tree.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P41GBT_zUt0/VBG6zs5824I/AAAAAAAACjI/4k6lDbFwJCI/s1600/The%2BTree%2Bwith%2Bdusted%2Bbackground.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P41GBT_zUt0/VBG6zs5824I/AAAAAAAACjI/4k6lDbFwJCI/s1600/The%2BTree%2Bwith%2Bdusted%2Bbackground.JPG" height="400" width="396" /></a></div><br /><br />I kept it quite simple, a) because that's how the tree looks, up there on its hill all by itself, and b) because I needed to make it quickly and get it in the post for a friend's birthday!<br /><br />Having first cut a circle mask for the setting sun, I made the ink dusted background using the colours of Memento Inks which Sally used, but substituting Danube Blue for the Bahama Blue, which I don't have. An Inkylicious&nbsp;<a href="http://www.inkylicious.co.uk/mountain-valley-stencil/prod_987.html" target="_blank">Mountain Valley Stencil</a>&nbsp;helped to produce the receding hills. I love these durable and reusable masks, much better than fiddling about with torn pieces of paper.<br /><br />Once I was happy with the background I stamped the tree and buzzards with black Versafine ink. I wanted the base of the tree to go right across the card so I extended it using a black pen. The sentiment was ideal for filling in the space at the top left of the picture. All stamps are from the Inkylicious&nbsp;<a href="http://www.inkylicious.co.uk/old-beech-tree-stamp/prod_1041.html" target="_blank">Old Beech Tree set</a>.Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-57878540339738367722014-09-07T08:16:00.000+01:002014-09-07T08:16:36.301+01:00Come and have a flutter!Last month at <a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/september-challenge-things-with-wings.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>&nbsp;we had a bumper crop of entries - over 350 - which was fabulous, and huge thanks to everyone who joined in. This month our theme is<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #cc0000;">***** THINGS WITH WINGS *****</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0YYP_vRPIA/VAsVVeDgpLI/AAAAAAAACiY/7XbzfgZzX5E/s1600/Brenda's%2Bcard%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0YYP_vRPIA/VAsVVeDgpLI/AAAAAAAACiY/7XbzfgZzX5E/s1600/Brenda's%2Bcard%2B2014.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />One of my favourite topics, of course! My winged thing is a beautiful fairy by Lavinia Stamps. I've set her against a background created with Inkylicious ink dusters and Memento inks, surrounded her with foliage by Inkylicious and Lavinia Stamps, and glittered her wings. The gorgeous poppy ribbon was bought at the Stamp Magic show earlier this year, but unfortunately I can't remember the name of the company selling it.<br /><br />Here's a close up of the fairy, gazing at the moon!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRC7xalJrQM/VAsl3nbjdMI/AAAAAAAACio/P6NmakIv8es/s1600/Brenda's%2Bcard%2B2014%2Bdetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRC7xalJrQM/VAsl3nbjdMI/AAAAAAAACio/P6NmakIv8es/s1600/Brenda's%2Bcard%2B2014%2Bdetail.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>Our lovely sponsor for September is&nbsp;<a href="http://www.craftydevilspapercraft.co.uk/" target="_blank">Crafty Devils</a>, who have donated a very generous £35 voucher to be spent on their website, and I can promise you that the lucky winner will be spoilt for choice!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYrOoaY3ehw/VAsuWcu9HTI/AAAAAAAACi4/CcDZfOz1bl4/s1600/Sept%2B'14%2Bprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYrOoaY3ehw/VAsuWcu9HTI/AAAAAAAACi4/CcDZfOz1bl4/s1600/Sept%2B'14%2Bprize.jpg" /></a></div><br />As always, do have a look at the <a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/september-challenge-things-with-wings.html" target="_blank">stunning projects</a>&nbsp;my brilliant teamies have made to inspire you. Thanks for looking, and I will be looking forward to seeing lots of beautiful Things With Wings fluttering by to join our challenge.<br /><br /><br />Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-1563069861070107302014-08-10T14:27:00.000+01:002014-08-10T14:27:42.893+01:00"The Shire"Proud Grandma alert!! My young grandson, Andrew, aged 5, saw the picture I made with my tree stamp and Brusho paints (<a href="http://creativelynks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/the-tree-sequel.html" target="_blank">see here</a>) and he wanted to make one.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi0SLtmv1bw/U-dvEzwlScI/AAAAAAAACiI/TZOAYn9Np2k/s1600/Andrew's+Shire+picture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi0SLtmv1bw/U-dvEzwlScI/AAAAAAAACiI/TZOAYn9Np2k/s1600/Andrew's+Shire+picture.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />First he punched a circle from a post-it note to make a mask for the moon. Next &nbsp;he made the Brusho background by dipping a paintbrush into the powders and tapping it over the paper where he wanted the colour. Then he sprayed water over the picture until the colours had merged to his satisfaction. He did all of that with instruction but no physical help.<br /><br />Having finished his background, he compared it with mine and decided that my picture was too plain, as it only has the tree and a bird. We looked through my stamps, and he found the Hobbit Door (Lavinia Stamps) and said that he wanted his to be a picture of The Shire (from Lord of the Rings. He's a big LOTR fan!) He chose some other stamps to go with the Hobbit Door (from Lavinia, Inkylicious &amp; Hobby Art) and decided where they all should go. I helped him to hold the stamps as he was stamping them, just to make sure that he didn't smudge the images, because it would have been a shame to spoil his lovely background, but everything else was entirely his own work. He finished by colouring the door surround and the tree with coloured pencils.<br /><br />We both decided that his artwork was far superior to mine!Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-83440607922882530892014-08-02T08:30:00.000+01:002014-08-02T08:30:00.361+01:00Anything Goes at Stamping Sensations!Summer certainly arrived last month at <a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>&nbsp; and it was an absolute treat looking through all the beautiful entries full of gorgeous summer blooms!&nbsp;But now to this month, and we have an open theme for our August Challenge. It's<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #351c75; color: cyan;">*****&nbsp; ANYTHING GOES&nbsp; *****</span></div><br />You can enter any project on a theme of your choice. The only stipulations is that as we are a stamping challenge <u><span style="color: #cc0000;">it must contain some rubber (or polymer!) stamping done by hand</span></u>. Any project which uses only digital&nbsp;"stamps" (which are of course not stamps but clipart)&nbsp;will unfortunately not be eligible for the prize. And it would be such a shame for you to miss out on the prize opportunity, because this month it's a stunner!<br /><br />Our wonderful sponsors are <a href="http://tonic-studios.co.uk/?doing_wp_cron=1406800875.9513690471649169921875" target="_blank">Tonic Studios</a>, and just look what they are offering the lucky winner! Absolutely gorgeous and newly released!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GsG7_crL8HI/U9oUSoV46kI/AAAAAAAACg8/qyDxKNT6bpM/s1600/August+prize+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GsG7_crL8HI/U9oUSoV46kI/AAAAAAAACg8/qyDxKNT6bpM/s1600/August+prize+1.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wJPRRWCIWA/U9oUSw4JpXI/AAAAAAAAChA/AjFTLRMT8p0/s1600/August+prize+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wJPRRWCIWA/U9oUSw4JpXI/AAAAAAAAChA/AjFTLRMT8p0/s1600/August+prize+2.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my card I've gone with a Scottish theme. I took my inspiration from the thistles which have now replaced the spring bluebells on the bank across the road from my craftroom window, and also from this month's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QLoBeXY7q0/U9oV2em0xnI/AAAAAAAAChY/9pCRvRIDCkY/s1600/Aug+'14+DT+card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8QLoBeXY7q0/U9oV2em0xnI/AAAAAAAAChY/9pCRvRIDCkY/s1600/Aug+'14+DT+card.JPG" height="319" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm still loving my Brusho paints, and have used them to make the background. I'm also trying to challenge myself to go outside my comfort zone a bit&nbsp;with my colour choices. Not too sure about this one but I *think*&nbsp;it works ok.....! I'd got in my head that the official Games tartan had orange in it, but when I checked later it's more pink! Oh well, never mind! The thistle silhouette (Chocolate Baroque) was stamped on to the background and surrounded with the Tonic Studios Celtic Circle die (from which I cut out the middle with a Spellbinders circle die&nbsp;to make it into a frame). The border at the side was made with the Tonic Studios Celtic Border Strip punch. The final touch was the tag with the sentiment (Chocolate Baroque) which I thought was&nbsp;quite appropriate to the ethos of the Commonwealth Games as the "friendly games".&nbsp; I sponged around the edges of the tag with pigment ink, trying to match the Brusho colours as closely as I could.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yg1_xmXtDwk/U9ogHasR8kI/AAAAAAAACh0/Mmu3OT9Qd0E/s1600/August+'14+DT+card+detail+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yg1_xmXtDwk/U9ogHasR8kI/AAAAAAAACh0/Mmu3OT9Qd0E/s1600/August+'14+DT+card+detail+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love open themes, as there are always some lovely&nbsp;surprises among the entries! I look forward to seeing yours!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div>Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-40026633273376967562014-07-14T19:59:00.000+01:002014-07-14T20:03:03.253+01:00The Tree - the sequel!The Brusho has been put to one side for a moment while I tell you about something far more exciting! <br /><br />For the background to this story you need to read my earlier posts about The Tree, see <a href="http://creativelynks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/less-is-more-week-62.html" target="_blank">here</a> (scroll to end of post) and <a href="http://creativelynks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/tree.html" target="_blank">here.</a> <br /><br />The Tree is an old beech tree which stands alone&nbsp;on top of a nearby hill. I see it every day from my house. It is quite a landmark, and, tree lover that I am,&nbsp;it has fascinated me ever since we came to live here. I have taken hundreds of photos of it. I don't know how old it is, but it must be quite old. It has&nbsp;been there through all seasons and withstood all weathers, buzzards and crows&nbsp;dwell in its leafy heights, the sheep and cows enjoy its shade and shelter. What a story it would tell if it could speak!<br /><br />This is the view I see of it from my garden, up on its hill in the distance.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZGR1vamg0s/U8QA_k6i-YI/AAAAAAAACfE/wfHV6lqbA9w/s1600/The+Tree+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZGR1vamg0s/U8QA_k6i-YI/AAAAAAAACfE/wfHV6lqbA9w/s1600/The+Tree+1.JPG" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>I managed to make one of my photos into a digistamp, but being a stamper at heart, I really wanted it in rubber. Chatting about it with my good&nbsp;friend and fellow Tree lover <a href="http://sal-utations.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sally,</a> it occurred to us that Deby, the lovely lady who owns our favourite stamp company <a href="http://www.inkylicious.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank">Inkylicious</a>, and who is surely a kindred spirit as there are none of her stamps that we don't like, might be interested in turning my digi into a stamp. So when we saw her at Stamp Magic last month we asked her, and she was!<br /><br />This is the photo which became my digi.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9OCSbnnvq4/U8QLnWebn7I/AAAAAAAACfo/LUnntC1v0vI/s1600/Beech+tree+silhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9OCSbnnvq4/U8QLnWebn7I/AAAAAAAACfo/LUnntC1v0vI/s1600/Beech+tree+silhouette.jpg" height="400" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can imagine my excitement when I received the stamp this morning! Not only has Deby made the tree into a stamp (and you can see from the photo above how faithfully she has reproduced it), she has also included two buzzards and two sentiments to make up a brilliant set! I love it! Of course, I had to ink it up straight away, and here's the result!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foycpCORGl0/U8QEc5M_9SI/AAAAAAAACfQ/EHz3MtweA7Y/s1600/Old+Beech+tree+card+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foycpCORGl0/U8QEc5M_9SI/AAAAAAAACfQ/EHz3MtweA7Y/s1600/Old+Beech+tree+card+1.JPG" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>For the first card I wanted to show the&nbsp;image of the tree alongside&nbsp;a photo of it in its setting, so have kept it quite simple, with just some stamped greenery around the edges of the card as a backdrop. (All stamps by Inkylicious, of course!) The background to the tree was lightly coloured using ink dusters and Memento ink.<br /><br />Back to the Brusho for my second card! I masked a circle for a moon, sprinkled and sprayed the Brusho over, stamped the tree, extended the base to fit the frame with a black pen, stamped the buzzard, and matted it with a black border on to a 7" x 7" card base. I think I will frame this one.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHFEiQexrmw/U8QjhxMX0fI/AAAAAAAACf0/cy0SFRDW8GA/s1600/Beech+tree+&amp;+Brusho.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHFEiQexrmw/U8QjhxMX0fI/AAAAAAAACf0/cy0SFRDW8GA/s1600/Beech+tree+&amp;+Brusho.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></div>This will be a great design for a man's card. All the men in my family will probably be getting a variation on this theme for their birthdays for the next year!<br /><br />Well, I have lots more plans for The Tree, but wanted to share these with you just now. I have&nbsp;to say a huge thank you to Deby for my fabulous set. She's&nbsp;a star! And by the way, if anyone else likes it, I think Deby will be putting it on the Inkylicious website in the near future.<br /><br />&nbsp; Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-89624431479945541562014-07-10T17:18:00.000+01:002014-07-10T17:18:43.077+01:00Brusho MeadowOn a roll with the Brusho now! This card took about 15 minutes to make!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ9z7c3RSas/U767xL7cZII/AAAAAAAACd4/GU1qO7sFgfQ/s1600/Brusho+meadow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ9z7c3RSas/U767xL7cZII/AAAAAAAACd4/GU1qO7sFgfQ/s1600/Brusho+meadow.JPG" height="397" width="400" /></a></div>Sprinkled various colours of Brusho on&nbsp; to water colour paper, sprayed it with water &amp; blotted it. Stamped over&nbsp;with Crafty Individuals stamps. Mounted it with a narrow black border on to a 6" x 6" blank card. Quick, easy and colourful!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTuWxc24pVM/U768i4zI3HI/AAAAAAAACeA/-dQHFNp_V3s/s1600/Brusho+meadow+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTuWxc24pVM/U768i4zI3HI/AAAAAAAACeA/-dQHFNp_V3s/s1600/Brusho+meadow+detail.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-42284065611889125952014-07-09T15:13:00.001+01:002014-07-10T17:36:17.888+01:00One layer at the Butterfly ChallengeChallenge No. 10 at the&nbsp;<a href="http://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/10-one-layer-only.html" target="_blank">Butterfly Challenge</a> is One Layer. I decided to see whether I could recreate the card in my <a href="http://creativelynks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/more-brusho.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>&nbsp;in a one layer format. It involved a lot of masking! My base was a 7" x 7" blank card.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cp6hXCUAWg/U77AqWr97aI/AAAAAAAACeM/OJFvrZdKtdI/s1600/Brusho+background+&amp;+CB+stamps+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cp6hXCUAWg/U77AqWr97aI/AAAAAAAACeM/OJFvrZdKtdI/s1600/Brusho+background+&amp;+CB+stamps+2.JPG" height="388" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To begin with, I outlined the main image area very lightly with pencil, so that I could see where to place the masks. I used a waterproof masking film.&nbsp;The first ones went around the outside of the area so that I could stamp and clear emboss the grasses inside. With the masks still in place, I then sprinkled on some Brusho (this time sandstone rather than black, for a change), lightly sprayed it with water and blotted off the excess. The butterfly was then stamped with Versafine ink. As before, all stamps are by Chocolate Baroque.</div><br />I removed the outside masks and then masked the main panel instead. Next I stamped the grasses at the edge of the card. By this stage it was looking okay but a bit untidy where&nbsp;a bit&nbsp;of the Brusho had leaked under the mask. The final step was to draw&nbsp;the black&nbsp;frame around the main image with a drawing pen, which covered the untidy edges and&nbsp;pulled everything together.<br /><br />Looking at the two cards side by side, I don't think this one is quite as crisp looking as the original version and I think I prefer the effect of the black Brusho rather than the sandstone.&nbsp;Perhaps brown ink rather than black&nbsp;would have gone better with the sandstone.&nbsp;However, given the limitations of the one layer format&nbsp;I was quite pleased with it, and it was an interesting exercise to try.Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-74009064281332534302014-07-07T22:11:00.001+01:002014-07-10T17:38:52.055+01:00More BrushoHere's another card I made while playing with my Brusho paints (see also my&nbsp;earlier post&nbsp;<a href="http://creativelynks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/just-playing.html" target="_blank">here</a>).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tciDa4CNJiM/U77BVJvRPLI/AAAAAAAACeU/Xgo-yweydLw/s1600/Brusho+background+&amp;+CB+stamps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tciDa4CNJiM/U77BVJvRPLI/AAAAAAAACeU/Xgo-yweydLw/s1600/Brusho+background+&amp;+CB+stamps.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></div><br />For this one I embossed the ferns first with Versamark ink and clear embossing powder on watercolour paper&nbsp;before sprinkling with the Brusho powder (I used black only) and lightly spraying with water. The embossing resisted the wet paint. I blotted it with a paper&nbsp; towel to remove the excess ink. Next I stamped the butterfly, followed by&nbsp;the ferns again, this time&nbsp;with Versafine ink on the right hand side of the card blank. I had considered colouring the butterfly, as on my earlier card, but decided not to as I rather liked the graphic quality of the black and white, with just&nbsp;the hint of colour in the Brusho background. I&nbsp;matted the picture with a thin black border and stuck it to the card. All stamps are by Chocolate Baroque.<br /><br />In this close up you can see the effect of the Brusho more clearly. It's great stuff to work with. Think I'll be playing with it again before long!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FnpxyQGWvYA/U77Bd7Kg0iI/AAAAAAAACec/O2Ad3lPoWrU/s1600/Brusho+background+&amp;+CB+stamps+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FnpxyQGWvYA/U77Bd7Kg0iI/AAAAAAAACec/O2Ad3lPoWrU/s1600/Brusho+background+&amp;+CB+stamps+detail.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5785010012454161394.post-4785753520907181502014-07-06T08:30:00.000+01:002014-07-06T08:57:07.213+01:00Summer at last!Just hoping the last two weeks aren't all we're going to get! For once, Scotland seems to have had better weather than the rest of the country but as we start our school holidays this week, I fear things will probably revert to form before long!<br /><br />Anyway, it's a new month, and at <a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/july-challenge-summer-blooms.html" target="_blank">Stamping Sensations</a>&nbsp;we are brightening things up whatever the weather with a theme of<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime;">*****</span> <span style="color: magenta;">SUMMER BLOOMS</span><span style="color: lime;"> *****</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Garden glories or wildflowers or weeds, we don't care which, just show us flowers galore! But please do remember, <u>as we are a stamping challenge&nbsp;there must be some hand rubber stamping on your project.</u> Entries containing only digital images will not be considered for the prize or top 3. </div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Making a return visit as our sponsor for July is the wonderful <a href="http://www.heartfeltcreations.us/" target="_blank">Heartfelt Creations,</a> who are generously offering a voucher to the value of $60 to spend in their online store.</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfIYGSk9gcQ/U7Ayojf7sBI/AAAAAAAACcM/nm92Exr2sJE/s1600/July+prize+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfIYGSk9gcQ/U7Ayojf7sBI/AAAAAAAACcM/nm92Exr2sJE/s1600/July+prize+pic.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">They have asked us to point out that should the prize winner live outside the USA, a charge for&nbsp;postage, packing and shipping will apply.</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">For my card I've taken inspiration from the masses of beautiful wildflowers adorning our hedgerows just now.</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfuzphpDYOs/U7AzUnrtxDI/AAAAAAAACcU/JCDg7KG87qw/s1600/DT+card+July+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfuzphpDYOs/U7AzUnrtxDI/AAAAAAAACcU/JCDg7KG87qw/s1600/DT+card+July+14.JPG" height="395" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The background was colour washed with diluted Distress Inks on water colour paper, then various flowers and a couple of butterflies&nbsp;were stamped over. Some of the flowers were coloured with Inktense watercolour pencils.&nbsp;Stamps used were from Lavinia Stamps, Chocolate Baroque and Crafty Individuals. The sentiment is by Inkylicious.</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Flowers are, of course, one of my favourite topics for cards, so I am really looking forward to seeing lots of lovely entries full of summer blooms! My fabulous teamies have&nbsp;definitely excelled themselves this month with their gorgeous creations, so don't forget to&nbsp;check them out on the&nbsp;<a href="http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/july-challenge-summer-blooms.html" target="_blank">Challenge Blog</a>&nbsp;if you are in need of inspiration. Thanks for looking!</div>Lynne Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13959635766548376107noreply@blogger.com8